What They’re Saying About Operations Epic and Economic Fury and Project Freedom—May 4, 2026
U.S.
Central Command Commander Adm. Brad Cooper | X
“Our support for this defensive mission [Project Freedom] is essential to regional security and the global economy as we also maintain the naval blockade.”
“U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) forces will begin supporting Project Freedom, May 4, to restore freedom of navigation for commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. The mission, directed by the President, will support merchant vessels seeking to freely transit through the essential international trade corridor. . . . U.S. military support to Project Freedom will include guided-missile destroyers, over 100 land and sea-based aircraft, multi-domain unmanned platforms, and 15,000 service members.”
“U.S. Navy guided-missile destroyers are currently operating in the Arabian Gulf after transiting the Strait of Hormuz in support of Project Freedom. American forces are actively assisting efforts to restore transit for commercial shipping. As a first step, 2 U.S.-flagged merchant vessels have successfully transited through the Strait of Hormuz and are safely headed on their journey.”
“CLAIM: Iranian state media claims that Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps hit a U.S. warship with two missiles.
“TRUTH: No U.S. Navy ships have been struck. U.S. forces are supporting Project Freedom and enforcing the naval blockade on Iranian ports.”
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent | Press Interview
“Conflict around the Strait is in deficit between about 8-10 million barrels a day, so every crude carrier that goes through has about 2 million barrels. So 4-5 crew carriers a day coming through of the pent up demand, we think there are more than 150-200 crew carriers that can come out so I think the market is going to be very well supplied. Confident on the other side of this the world is going to be awash of oil, the UAE has come out of OPEC going to be pumping more, OPEC just announced they would be pumping more, and the US has record crude deliveries, #1 energy superpower in the world and we have never delivered so much crude.”
IRAN
IRGC | Quote from Iranian State Media
“No commercial vessels or oil tankers have passed through the Strait of Hormuz in recent hours, and the claims made by U.S. officials are baseless and entirely false.”
Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters Commander Ali Abdollahi | Quote from Iranian State Media
“We warn that any foreign armed force, especially the aggressive military of America, should they intend to approach or enter the Strait of Hormuz, will be subjected to attack.”
Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters Commander Ali Abdollahi | Quote from Iranian State Media
“We will manage the security of the Strait of Hormuz with all might, and inform all commercial ships and tankers to refrain from any attempt to transit without the coordination of the Iranian Armed Forces stationed in the Strait of Hormuz in order not to jeopardize their security.”
Iranian Parliament National Security Commission Head Ebrahim Azizi | X
“⚠ WARNING Any American interference in the new maritime regime of the Strait of Hormuz will be considered a violation of the ceasefire. The Strait of Hormuz and the Persian Gulf would not be managed by Trump's delusional posts! No one would believe Blame Game scenarios!”
GULF STATES
UAE Foreign Ministry | Statement
“The United Arab Emirates has strongly condemned and denounced the Iranian terrorist attack involving two drones that targeted a national carrier affiliated with ADNOC as it transited through the Strait of Hormuz, with no injuries reported. In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) underscored that this attack constitutes a flagrant violation of UN Security Council resolution 2817, which affirmed the importance of freedom of navigation, and rejected the targeting of commercial vessels or the obstruction of international maritime routes. The Ministry emphasized that targeting commercial shipping and using the Strait of Hormuz as a tool of economic coercion or blackmail represents acts of piracy by Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps, and constitutes a direct threat to the stability of the region, its peoples, and global energy security. The UAE further stressed the need for Iran to halt these unprovoked attacks, ensure its full commitment to an immediate cessation of all hostilities, and the complete and unconditional reopening of the Strait of Hormuz in order to safeguard regional security, and maintain the stability of the global economy and trade.”
Anwar Gargash, Senior Diplomatic Adviser to the UAE President | X
“The brutal Iranian aggression and acts of maritime piracy persist, targeting a national tanker belonging to ADNOC as it transited the Strait of Hormuz. The UAE maintains a steadfast stance in rejecting such aggression and upholding freedom of navigation in this vital international waterway. These assaults underscore that the Iranian threat to the security and stability of the region remains ongoing and cannot be ignored.”
“Four cruise missiles originating from Iran and heading toward the country were detected. Three of these missiles were successfully intercepted over the country's territorial waters, while the fourth fell into the sea. The Ministry of Defense confirmed that the sounds heard across various parts of the country were the result of the successful interception of these aerial threats. The Ministry urges the public to obtain information solely from official sources and to verify facts, as well as to adhere to all public safety protocols whenever warning alerts are issued.”
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